Daily Lenten Reflections

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Reflection

Today’s readings reminded me of words spoken by the Dalai Lama, “It is not enough to be compassionate, we must act,” because there seemed to be a clarification in Scripture between thinking and acting. In today’s Responsorial Psalm, it says, “blessed are they who hope in the Lord”— and this is a fine sentiment. When we hope in the Lord, we live in a state of recognition that the great love which comes from God is open to us. However, while to “hope in the Lord” certainly requires a mental act and a spiritual commitment, if “hope” doesn’t extend beyond a state of mind in our lives, will we really be living as God intends?

In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to pursue a deeper version of hope; one that involves conscious choices and deliberate actions in addition to a mindset. He reveals that to hope in the Lord requires us to “take up our cross daily,” to lose ourselves in the love and service of others — as Jesus did for us. Only by doing so, will we truly find the Lord’s grace and feel the fullness of hope.

Prayer

Today O Lord, fill me with hope. Help me feel love, so I can reach out my hand to one who is alone, to be still so I may stop and listen to someone who needs to be heard, and sustain my courage so I may carry my cross alongside You today.

Amy Rock Wardwell, ’96, Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Psalm 1:1-4, 6

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

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Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry

The Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry at Saint Michael’s College is to share the Good News of the Gospel with the College community by facilitating encounter with Jesus Christ. We do this through the celebration of the Church’s Liturgy, in programs promoting knowledge of the Catholic faith, by developing ecumenical and interreligious relationships, and providing retreats and other opportunities for personal spiritual growth.

The Catholic and Edmundite tradition upon which the College was founded is grounded in the conviction that all women and men are created in the image and likeness of God providing a special dignity unique to each person. Such dignity requires human life to be respected in all of its stages recognizing that we are all children of God.

Therefore, in its pursuit of furthering the Reign of God, the Edmundite Campus Ministry staff seeks to interact with and support every member of the College community in their search for Truth, contributing to the “enhancement of the human person and to the advancement of human culture in light of the Catholic faith.”